Joint structures and elements thereof



March 19, 1968 J. H. BLAYDEN JOINT STRUCTURES AND ELEMENTS THEREOF Filed July 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. I E l James/l. BLAYON March 19, 1968 J. H. BLAYDEN 3,373,537

JOINT STRUCTURES AND ELEMENTS THEREOF Filed July 5, 1966 5 SheetsSheet 2 1 NVEN TOR. Jame; H. BLA YDEA/ March 19, 1968 J. H. BLAYDEN 3,373,537

JOINT STRUCTURES AND ELEMENTS THEREOF Filed July 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I 6 I V 1 VENTOR. JW'ZASSH 1.420511 his I March 19, 1968 J. H. BLAYDEN 3,373,537

JOINT STRUCTURES AND ELEMENTS THEREOF Filed July 5, 1966 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. James l. BLfifOEJ/ Jzzs' #7702 L),

' March 19, 1968 INVENTOR. James H. 81. eras-11. Y

dwoir av-v-aam sr United States Patent Oflice Filed July 5, 1966, Ser. No. 562,650 9 Claims. (Cl. 52-288) This invention is addressed in general to new and improved joint structures between marginal edges of adjacent panels, subject to relative movement therebetween, and is more particularly concerned with the provision of an elastomeric flexibly resilient cap or cover patch for sealing securement over an exposed joint area formed between spaced marginal edges of juxtaposed substantially rigid panels interconnected along their adjacent marginal edges, except in the immediate area of an exposed joint therebetween, by flexibly resilient elastomeric coupling members permitting relative movement between the juxtaposed panels.

The cap or cover members of the invention lend themselves to incorporation in joint structures between coplanar and angularly disposed insulated core module panels, and are particularly eifective in providing positive vapor, moisture and/or gas-tight sealed joints therewith where the integrity of the sealed joints is constantly taxed by flexing created by movement, such as expansion and contraction of the elemental panels thereof, and/ or other induced movement-causing forces, experienced in refrigerated units such as entire buildings, cold rooms within buildings, mobile trucks and vans, as well as in housing, marine and similar units exposed to moderate and/or extreme temperature differentials on opposite exterior and interior surfaces of the enclosing walls, roofs and ceilings thereof.

From the above generally stated descriptionof the invention, it will be appreciated that a primary object contemplates the provision of a cap or cover member for sealing intersecting joints formed at marginal edges of ad-. jacently assembled module building or like panels-in co-. planar and angular association thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a'joint sealing cap or cover member exhibiting resiliently flexible characteristics in satisfaction and adjustment to relative movement between elemental panel members constituting intersecting joints to be sealed. r

A further object is to provide a flexible cap or cover member for incorporation in coplanar and angularly dis posed intersecting marginal edges-of adjacent panel members in which positive placement and secure installation of the cap or cover member is insured.

Other objects and. advantages of the invention will become apparent to those versed in the art to which the invention appertains on consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the following draw ings, in which: 7 FIG. 1 represents a partially exploded view of a wplanar cruciform intersecting joint structure and cap or cover member therefor preparatory to placement of the cap or cover thereover in sealing and secured relationship thereto; I

FIG. 2 represents an exterior view illustrating installation and assembly of the cap over the coplanar joint of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents a plan view of the underside of the cap or cover member illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 prior to receiving a serving or application of joint sealant adhesive thereon;

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate partial sectional elevational views taken in the direction of the arrows 4-4 and 5-5 in FIG. 3

5,373,53 Patented Mar. 19, 1968 FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate fragmentary sectional elevational views taken on the planes 66 and 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exterior perspective view of a joint structure between four adjacent panels in coplanar pairs assembled in angularly disposed paired relationship, as in a wall to ceiling joint construction, and incorporating the identical cap or cover member of'FIGS. 1 through 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exterior perspective view of a joint structure substantially similar to FIG. 8 incorporating two coplanar adjacent panels in angularly disposed relationship to a third panel, as in a wall to ceiling joint construction, but incorporating a slightly modified generally T- shaped cap or cover member; and FIG. 10 illustrates an exterior perspective view of a joint structure between two adjacent angularly disposed corner-forming wallpanels and a ceiling panel angularly disposed thereto incorporating a further embodiment of cap or cover member of the invention.

In general, a cap or cover member responding to the practice of the invention is provided in the form of a configurated patch made from elastomeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, exhibiting self-supporting and resiliently flexible characteristics. A durometer hardnessfor the material of the cap or cover patch of the invention in the range 60 to has been found desirable.

The patch cover or cap member provides a substantially centrally located outwardly directed curvilineariy configurated or generally cup-shaped diaphragm section having an integral flange surrounding and extending laterally therefrom, with the flange radially inwardly undulatingly configurated at perimetrically spaced intervals to accommodate marginal edge joints between adjacent panels in a joint structure to be sealed or capped in accordance with the practice of the invention. Additional configurations of the patch cover or cap members of the invention include the provision of integral locating spuds, lugs or projections on the underside of the surrounding flange thereof, opposite to the outwardly directed centrally located diaphragm section, located out of interference with the aforementioned undulatingly configurated portions of the flange, with or without the provision of a series of spaced contiguous ribs on the underside of the flange portion, preferably outboard to the aforesaid lugs, to serve as adhesive sealant positioning means.

The patch type cover or cap members thus far generally described are resiliently and flexibly conformable in their application over the exposed surfaces of panels constituting coplanar and/ or angularly disposed joint structures and joining practices between adjacent panels in intersecting marginal edge arrangement thereof, as hereinafter described in detail.

FIG. 1 discloses a joint structure between the adjacent edges of four module insulated panels, together with a patch cap or cover member 10 of the invention preparatory to its application over the exposed area of a joint structure to be sealed thereby to form the sealed and secured joint structure of FIG, 2.

FIGS. 3 through 7 reveal the configuration of the embodiment of the cap or cover patch 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 as comprising the aforementioned centrally located upwardly directed diaphragm portion or section at 12 and integral laterally extending flange section 14, with the flange udulatingly or generally sinuously configurated in four separated locations or areas paired for symmetry at 16, 16 and 18, 18 to accommodate adjacent marginal edge joining features employed in the cruciform joint incorporating the four panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The cover or cap patch member 10 is preferably made or configurated to provide a substantially uniform flange and diaphragm thickness of its elastomeric body material within the range .050" to .080", a .060" uniform thick- 3 ness having proved very satisfactory in the practice of the invention Within the aforementioned durometer hard ness range of 60 to 75. A single downwardly or inwardly directed valley 28 in the undulating paired areas 16 of the flange 14, and two parallel downwardly or inwardly directed valleys 30 in the undulating paired areas 18 thereof, extend radially inwardly from the marginal edge of flange 14 into blending connection with the outwardly projecting diaphragm 12, with the locating spuds 32 being disposed adjacent and on opposite sides of the inwardly extending blended end connections of the valley 28 and valleys 36 to the central diaphragm section 12 of the cap 10. Also, the opposite surfaces of each of the spuds 32, parallel to the radial direction of the valleys adjacent thereto, are preferably ribbed at 34, as is the undersurface of the flange 14, outboard of spuds 32, at 36, as an aid in retaining parallel separated laid-down contiguous beads of a viscous adhesive sealant compound, as will be hereinafter explained in more detail in describing installation of a unitary cover patch 10.

An upwardly extending graspable handle projection 38 may be provided, if desired, in integral attachment to the outer or exposed surface of the central diaphragm section or portion 12 of the cap patch 10 for ease in placement and intentional removal of the same, if or when required, and the marginally defining outer edge of the flange 14 may be provided in the form of a thin feather edge 40 (FIGS. 3, 4 and although neither of these latter features are essential to the success of the invention.

A coplanar installation of the cover patch of FIGS. 3 through 7 thus far described, entails, in accordance with the illustrations of FIGS. 1 and 2, the provision of the aforementioned four module panels through 26 in intersecting marginal edge substantially coplanar assembly of an exposed surface of each of the panels. Each of the panels enumerated above have an exposed or outer relatively hard or rigid surface liner, such as an aluminum or aluminum alloy sheet, which preferably unitarily supports an insulating layer 42 substantially coextensive with its opposite surface. Marginal adjacent edges of the liner sheets are provided with upwardly facing, integrally formed or unitarily carried, preferably re-entrant channel pockets 44 (FIG. 1) for receiving elongated elastomeric joint coupling elements or strips 46 and 48, similar marginal edge depending ribs 50 of which are compressively received and installed within the aforesaid channel pockets 44 carried by each of the paired adjacent four coplanar arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be observed that the elastomeric joint couplings 46 and 48 differ in regard to their integral undulating connecting web sections 54 and 56, respectively, and in this respect are nestably similar to the undulatingly formed valley 28 and valleys 30, respectively, of the marginal flange 14 of the patch cover 10. It is sufficient to state here that the module panels 20 through 26 are relatively movable in response to thermal expansion and contraction, or other environmental movement-producing forces acting therein, while being flexibly restrained or coupled along their adjacent marginal edges forming intersecting joints therebetween by the installed elastomeric coupling members 46 and 48. It is also a preferred practice to select the coupling strips 46 and 48 in natural or synthetic rubber of a durometer hardness in the range 60 to 75, the coupling strips, as well as the cover patch 10, being impermeable in respect to the elastomeric material employed in their fabrication.

Installation of patch cover 10 overlying the intersection of the flexibly restrained marginal edges presented by the coplanar assembly of the panels 20' through 26 (FIG. 1) requires the marginal edge configurated channels or pockets 44 to be terminated a short distance from the corner edges of the exposed liner sheets supported on the insulation layer 42 of each module panel 20 through 26. Similarly, the longitudinal elongated elastomeric joint coupling strips or members 46 and 48 are likewise ter- 4.- minated a short distance from the foreshortened channels 44, as best illustrated in FIG. 1. In this manner an outwardly exposed unsealed joint area is provided between the adjacent marginal edge spaced panels.

Installation-of the cap 10 in FIG. 1 to produce the coplanar cruciform sealed joint of FIG. 2 entails and comprises flexibly extracting a short terminal length of each of the installed flexible elastomeric coupling strips or members 46 and 48 (FIG. 1), thoroughly cleaning the surfaces defining the thus exposed channels 44, and similarly cleaning the surfaces of the panel liners and aforesaid coupling strips immediately contiguous therewith, to prepare the same for a serving of a viscous adhesive type moisture and vapor proof sealant compound 58 within the aforesaid exposed channels 44 and beneath the raised terminal length of each of the extracted end portions of the joint coupling members 46 and 48. The sealant compound 58 is necessarily selected for its compatibility with respect to the materials of the elastomeric joint coupling members 46 and 48, as well as for its compatibility with respect to the material of the cover or cap member 10 and exposed surfaces of the liners and channels 44 in initial and eventual contact with the adhesive sealant in the area of the exposed joint of FIG. 1. Sealant type adhesives of the required characteristics are commercially available in curable natural or synthetic rubber forms.

The raised ends of the coupling strips 46 and 48 are compressively returned within their channels 44 into direct contact with the head of sealant 58 underlying the same and a short bead of the sealant 58 is placed within the valley 60 in the outwardly facing surface of the undulating connecting web 54 of each of the coupling members 46, as well as within the valleys 62 in the outwardly facing surface of the undulating connecting web 56 of each of the coupling members 48.

The patch cover or cap member 10 is provided on the undersurface of its flange 14 with a serving of preferably two continuous beads of the adhesive sealant compound 58 (FIG. 1), the ribs 36 having been selected in spaced relationship, number and continuity to insure lateral separation of the sealant beads. The patch 10 is thereafter placed in registry of its depending spuds or lugs 32 within the space formed between the marginal edges of the liners carried by the adjacent panels, and preferably within the exposed sealant carrying channels or pockets 44, in substantially symmetrical location and registration of the patch cover 10 in overlying surface contact of the underside of its adhesive sealant carrying flange 14 against the underlying coextensive surface of the exposed joint area comprising the panel liner sheets, exposed channels 44, and substantially equal lengths of the adjacent ends of the joint coupling members 46 and 48. Slight manually applied pressure applied to the exterior surface of the patch cover 10, during installation of the same in substantial overlying registry with the cruciform joint of FIGS. 1 and 2, develops a uniform layer of the sealant adhesive 58 between the underside of the flat flange 14, contiguous undulating areas 16 and 18 thereof, and coextensive joint and panel surfaces bearing thereagainst, with the depressed valleys 28 and 30 in nested registry within the outwardly directed valleys 60 and 62, respectively, of the joint coupling members 46 and 48.

The sealant type adhesives 58 herein contemplated set up reasonably quickly without impairing the resilient flexibility of the centrally located diaphragm section 12 of the cover patch 10, which serves as a bellows by providing an excess of resilient material flexibly responding to relative movement between the individual panels 20 through 26 in respect to the adhesively and positively secured and sealed surface areas of the cap 10 with coextensive underlying contacting areas of the coplanar cruciform joint structure. The sealant compound 58 will normally exude to form a very narrow marginal exposed edge area 64 of the same contiguous with the outline of the patch cover 10 (FIG. 2), which on trial and error serves as a visual check of the amount or quantity of adhesive sealant compound 58 essential to complete satisfaction and benefit of the advantages of the invention. The exuded adhesive 64 may be removed by wiping, before setting of the same, and the feather edge 40, although not essential, acts as a knife edge in controlling the thickness of the marginal edge area 64 of exuded sealant 58. The spaced ribs 34 on opposite surfaces of the locating spuds 32, embedded within the sealant 58 in the channels 44, serve to extend the surface area of the spuds in adhesively sealing relationship therewithin. Commercial pressurereactive masking or similar tape sections 66 may be employed to initially secure the patch cover 10, which tape sections are preferably removed following cured adhesive securement of the patch cover or cap 10, to provide the completed cruciform joint of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 discloses a completed four panel joint structure employing the patch cover 10 of FIGS. 3 through 7. In this joint structure two adjacent insulated wall panels 68 are assembled in flexibly coupled marginal edge relationship by means of the elastomeric coupling strip 46 in the same manner as earlier described in the coplanar joint construction of FIGS. 1 and 2. A ceiling composed of two similar insulated panels 70, flexibly coupled along their adjacent marginal edges by a similar elastomeric coupling strip 46, is supported at substantially 90 to the wall panels 68 on an upper rabbeted marginal edge of the insulation 72 thereof with the coupling strips 46 in substantial vertical and horizontal alignment.

Adjacent coextensive exterior marginal edges of the wall and ceiling panels 68 and 70 are preferably mitered at 45 and are flexibly coupled in pairs 68 to 70 by means of elastomeric flexible coupling strips 48 in the same manner as described for the joint structure of FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be observed that the joint of FIG. 8 is enerally cruciform but lies in two angularly disposed planes, the plane of wall panels 68 and the plane of ceiling panels 70, respectively.

Following the same preparatory treatment of the angulated cruciform joint structure of FIG. 8, described in detail for the joint of FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap 10 is applied in registry over the outwardly exposed joint area formed by the intersection of the marginally coupled edges of panels 68 and 7 into flexibly resilient, adhesively secured conformity and coextensive underlying and nesting contact against the angulated areas presented by the coupling strips 46 and 48 and exposed surface areas of the panels 68 and 70 contiguous therewith in the same manner as in the coplanar joint structure of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 9 represents a further embodiment of the invention in which free standing adjacent wall panels '74 are marginally connected along their adjacent separated edges by means of the elastomeric coupling strip 46 in the manner described for the joint construction of FIGS. 1 and 2. A single ceiling panel 76 is supported along its marginal edge by the upper underlying edge of the coupled side or wall panels 74, as by the mitered shoulder engagement therebetween represented by the plane 78, and the separated adjacent marginal edges of the exposed liners carried by the panels are flexibly coupled by means of two separate lengths of the elastomeric coupling member 48, one each of the separate lengths thereof serving to connect one each of the panels 74 with an axial length of the common panel 76 adjacent thereto to provide an exposed unsealed joint area of generally T-shaped configuration.

A modified form of cover patch 80, differing from that of FIGS. 3 through 7 only in the elimination therefrom of one of the opposite radially extending single undulating valley configurations 28, is adhesively secured in registry over the generally T-sha'ped joint structure of FIG. 9 following the treatment and procedure explained in the description of the joint of FIGS. 1 and 2 to thereby complete an angulated adhesively sealed flexible joint assembly of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a further generally T-shaped'joint' construction incorporating corner-forming wall or similar enclosing panels 82 and a single ceiling panel 84 supported in adjacent marginal edge spaced relationship thereto. The corner joint connecting the wall panels 82 employs the elastomeric coupling member or strip 48 of the joint structure of FIGS. 1 and 2. The same coupling strip 48 is employed between each edge of the ceiling panel 84 and its immediately adjacent panel 82. The coupling strips are terminated short of their abutment with each other to provide an angulated exposed unsealed corner joint area in substantially the same manner as described for the coplanar joint of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the generally T-shaped arrangement of the corner oint structure in FIG. 10. l

The cover patch 86 employed in the joint structure of FIG. 10 is also of generally T-shape configuration, as in the joint structure of FIG. 9, but differs therefrom in that it incorporates the double valley undulations 30 in conformity with the undulated web portions of the common coupling strip 48 employed in the structure of FIG. 10. The cover patch 86 is otherwise prepared and flexibly conformed on installation in overlying relation on the exposed corner joint area of FIG. 10, as previously described.

Having herein described and illustrated coplanar and angularly disposed joint structures between panels incorporating flexibly coupled adjacently spaced marginal edges, and provided flexibly resilient unitary impermeable cover patches for adhesively sealed installation overlying said joint structures, what is claimed is:

1. A cover patch for adhesive securement in sealing installation over an exposed joint area formed between spaced marginal edges of juxtaposed panels interconnected along adjacent marginal spaced edges, except in the joint area, by flexible elastomeric coupling members permitting relative movement between said juxtaposed panels; said cover patch comprising a resiliently flexible elastomeric material configurated to provide:

(a) a substantially centrally located outwardly extending generally cup-shaped portion,

(b) a laterally extending flange in contiguous subending interconnection with a bottom edge defining an open entrance into the generally cup-shaped portion,

(c) locating lugs projecting from an underside of said flange intermediate the radial extent thereof,

(d) said lugs being selected in number and location to be receivable within the space between adjacent marginal edges of the juxtaposed panels in the exposed joint area, with the outwardly extending generally cup-shaped portion in substantial overlying central registry over the exposed joint area,

(e) said contiguous flange being dimensionally selected to coextensively overlie a contiguous area of the exposed joint area comprising outwardly facing surfaces of the juxtaposed panels and the elastomeric coupling members interconnecting the spaced marginal edges thereof, and

(f) said cover patch being resiliently conformable under manually applied pressure, with an interposed serving of a curable adhesive sealant compound between the underside of said flange and underlying outwardly directed contiguous surface area of the exposed joint area in substantially symmetrical registry therewith, to provide contiguous sealed installation between the underside of the cover patch and an area of the exposed joint area underlying coextensive thereto.

2. The cover patch of claim 1 in which the underside of the flange thereof is provided with contiguous upstanding ribs in parallel separation for retaining a laid down bead of curable viscous adhesive sealing compound.

3. The cover patch of claim 1 the elastomeric material of which has a durometer hardness in the range 60' to 75.

4. A cover patch for adhesive securcment in sealing installation over an exposed joint area located at the intersection of marginal edges of juxtaposed panels in which adjacent marginal spaced edges of the panels are coextensively interconnected, except in the immediate area of the exposed intersecting joint, by elongate elastomeric coupling members conflgurated to provide transversely undulating flexible web interconnection across the adjacent marginal spaced edges of said juxtaposed panels; said cover patch comprising an impermeable resiliently flexible elastomeric material configurated to provide:

(a) a substantially centrally located outwardly extending diaphragm portion,

(b) a laterally extending flange in contiguous subtending interconnection with a bottom rim defining an open entrance into said diaphragm portion,

(c) said contiguous flange having perimetrically localized radially extending undulating configurations in number, location and substantial conformity to the undulations in the web interconnections of said coupling members for overlying nestable registry therewith,

(d) locating lugs carried by an underside of said flange intermediate the radial extent thereof,

(e) said lugs being selected in number and located to be receivable within the space between adjacent marginal edges of the juxtaposed panels in the exposed joint area therebetween with the outwardly extending diaphragm portion in substantially central overlying registry over the exposed joint area, and

(i) said cover patch responding to resilient conformability under manually applied pressure, with an in terposed serving of a viscous curable adhesive sealant compound between the underside of said flange and underlying outwardly directed contiguous surface area of the exposed joint area in substantial symmetrical registry therewith, to provide contiguous sealed flexibly adjustable installation between the underside of the cover patch flange and an area of the exposed joint underlying coextensive thereto.

5. The cover patch of claim 4 in which the underside of the flange thereof is provided with contiguous upstanding ribs in parallel spaced relationship outboard of the locating lugs for retaining a laid-down head of curable viscous adhesive sealing compound.

6. The cover patch of claim 4 the elastomeric material of which has a durometer hardness in the range of 60 to 75.

7. A joint structure between spaced marginal edges of juxtaposed panels having flexibly sealed impermeable interconnections across coextensive spaced marginal edge lengths of the adjacent panels comprising the joint structure except for an exposed joint therebetween, a cover patch of flexible impermeable material installed over said exposed joint and portions of the flexible interconnections immediately adjacent thereto, said cover patch having a substantially centrally outwardly extending bellows section and laterally extending flange section contiguously su-btending the same, spuds depending from an underside of said flange extending into the exposed joint and loca-ting the flange of the cover patch in overlying disposition in respect to said flexible interconnection portions immediately adjacent the exposed joint, and a layer of adhesive sealant interposed the underside of said cover patch flange, portions of said flexible interconnections immediately adjacent the expose-d joint, and outwardly facing surfaces of the juxtaposed panels contiguous therewith in flexibly sealed adhesive securement of said cover patch over said exposed joint.

8. A joint structure between spaced marginal edges of juxtaposed panels having scaled interconnection across coextensive spaced marginal edge lengths of the adjacent panels comprising the joint structure except for an exposed joint forrned therebetween, said interconnections comprising an elastomeric coupling and sealing strip secured along its opposite outer edges to adjacent marginal edges of the juxtaposed panels coextensive therewith, the said coupling strip having an elastomeric web portion permitting relative movement between the so connected and sealed juxtaposed panels, a cap patch of elastorneric material installed over the exposed joint, said patch comprising a substantially centrally disposed outwardly projecting curvilinearly configurated diaphragm portion and a subtending laterally extending flange contiguous with a lower edge of the diaphragm portion, locating spuds on the underside of said flange remote to said diaphragm portion selected in number and location to extend into the space between the spaced marginal edges of the juxtaposed panels within the exposed joint therebetween to accurately locate the cap patch over the exposed joint, the laterally extending contiguous flange otherwise overlying an area contiguous to the exposed joint comprising a contiguous area incorporating the exposed surfaces of the juxtaposed panels and terminal ends of the coupling strips contiguous therewith, and a layer of adhesive sealant compound interposed the underside of the cap patch flange and coextensive area contiguous to the exposed joint securing the cap patch in flexibly resilient sealed relationship over said exposed joint.

9. The joint structure of claim 8 in which the elastomeric material of said cap patch has a durometer hardness in the range to 75.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,661,078 2/1928 Mell 52-287 XR 1,919,300 7/1933 Lewis 52287 2,574,937 11/1951 Sampson 52-466 2,796,624 6/1957 Speer 52470 XR 3,200,547 8/1965 Johnson 52288 FOREIGN PATENTS 690,554 7/1964 Canada.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

PRICE C. FAW, Assistant Examiner. 

7. A JOINT STRUCTURE BETWEEN SPACED MARGINAL EDGES OF JUXTAPOSED PANELS HAVING FLEXIBLY SEALED IMPERMEABLE INTERCONNECTIONS ACROSS COEXTENSIVE SPACED MARGINAL EDGE LENGTHS OF THE ADJACENT PANELS COMPRISING THE JOINT STRUCTURE EXCEPT FOR AN EXPOSED JOINT THEREBETWEEN, A COVER PATCH OF FLEXIBLE IMPERMEABLE MATERIAL INSTALLED OVER SAID EXPOSED JOINT AND PORTIONS OF THE FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECTIONS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT THERETO, SAID COVER PATCH HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CENTRALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING BELLOWS SECTION AND LATERALLY EXTENDING FLANGE SECTION CONTIGUOUSLY SUBTENDING THE SAME, SPUDS DEPENDING FROM AN UNDERSIDE OF SAID FLANGE EXTENDING INTO THE EXPOSED JOINT AND LOCATING THE FLANGE OF THE COVER PATCH IN OVERLYING DISPOSITION IN RESPECT TO SAID FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECTION PORTIONS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT THE EXPOSED JOINT, AND A LAYER OF ADHESIVE SEALANT INTERPOSED THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID COVER PATCH FLANGE, PORTIONS OF SAID FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECTIONS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT THE EXPOSED JOINT, AND OUTWARDLY FACING SURFACES OF THE JUXTAPOSED PANELS CONTIGUOUS THEREWITH IN FLEXIBLY SEALED ADHESIVE SECUREMENT OF SAID COVER PATCH OVER SAID EXPOSED JOINT. 